Registering a company in India takes 7–15 working days and costs ₹6,000–₹15,000 in government fees depending on structure and share capital. The MCA21 portal has made the process entirely online since 2022 — you no longer need to physically visit the Registrar of Companies. Here's the exact process for the three most common structures.
Which Structure Should You Choose?
| Structure | Best For | Min Directors/Partners | Liability | Registration Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) | Startups seeking investment, scalable businesses | 2 directors | Limited to shareholding | ₹8,000–₹15,000 |
| LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) | Professional services, small partnerships | 2 partners | Limited (no personal liability) | ₹6,000–₹10,000 |
| OPC (One Person Company) | Solo founders wanting Pvt Ltd benefits | 1 director | Limited | ₹6,000–₹12,000 |
| Sole Proprietorship | Freelancers, very small businesses | 1 person | Unlimited (personal) | ₹0 (just PAN + bank) |
Step-by-Step: Pvt Ltd Registration
Get Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) for all directors
Every director needs a Class 3 DSC from an authorised provider (eMudhra, Sify, NSDL e-Governance). Cost: ₹1,200–₹2,500 per DSC. Required documents: PAN card, Aadhaar, passport photo, email and mobile number. DSC is issued digitally within 24–48 hours of document verification. All subsequent MCA filings are signed using this DSC.
Apply for Director Identification Number (DIN)
DIN is a unique number assigned to every company director in India. Apply via the MCA21 portal (mca.gov.in) using Form DIR-3. Fee: ₹500 per DIN. Required: PAN, address proof, and DSC. DIN is typically allotted within 1–2 working days. Note: DIN applications can now be filed as part of the SPICe+ form (Step 4), so this step can be combined.
Reserve company name via RUN (Reserve Unique Name)
Apply for company name availability on the MCA portal via Form RUN. You can submit 2 name preferences. Fee: ₹1,000. The name must not be identical or similar to an existing registered company, must not use prohibited words (Bank, Insurance, National, etc. without approval), and must end with "Private Limited". Approval typically takes 1–3 working days.
File SPICe+ Form on MCA21
SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) is the single integrated form for company incorporation. It covers company registration, DIN allotment, PAN, TAN, EPFO/ESIC registration, and professional tax registration — all in one. Required documents: MOA (Memorandum of Association), AOA (Articles of Association), ID and address proof for all directors and shareholders, registered office address proof, NOC from property owner. MCA government fee: based on authorised share capital (₹2,000–₹5,000 for typical startup share capital of ₹1–5 lakh).
Receive Certificate of Incorporation + post-incorporation compliances
The ROC (Registrar of Companies) reviews the SPICe+ filing and issues the Certificate of Incorporation (CoI) with Company Identification Number (CIN), PAN, and TAN. After incorporation: open a current bank account (required within 60 days), conduct first Board Meeting (required within 30 days), and appoint a first auditor (required within 30 days). Don't skip these — they have penalty provisions.
Total Cost Breakdown
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| DSC (2 directors) | ₹2,400–₹5,000 |
| RUN name reservation | ₹1,000 |
| MCA SPICe+ government fee | ₹2,000–₹5,000 |
| Professional CA/CS fees (optional but recommended) | ₹5,000–₹15,000 |
| Total (DIY) | ₹5,400–₹11,000 |
| Total (with CA/CS) | ₹10,400–₹26,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I register a company from home without a physical office?
A: Yes — you can use your residential address as the registered office. Most startups operate from home initially. You'll need: consent of the property owner (if you're a tenant, get a NOC from the landlord), utility bill as address proof, and the property must be in India. Virtual office services (₹1,000–₹3,000/month) provide a professional address if needed.
Q: Do I need a CA to register a company?
A: Not legally — all forms can be filed DIY on MCA21. However, a CA or CS significantly reduces the risk of rejection due to document errors. Given that rejection means re-filing and delays, spending ₹5,000–₹15,000 on professional fees is usually worthwhile for first-time founders.